A PIONEERING bid to cut the number of household accidents by discounting safety devices was this week introduced to Parliament by Watford MP Claire Ward.

The bill, which proposes eliminating or reducing tax on items such as smoke alarms, fire guards, stair gates and hip protectors, is the brainchild of Miss Ward.

In her speech, the MP suggested this would be an incentive to increase the use of safety equipment in homes.

Each year 4,000 people die from household accidents and a further three million need medical treatment.

Statistics show lower income residents are most at risk. The injury and death rate for children from unskilled families is five times that of those from professional families.

The proposal requires all new homes to be fitted with a sprinkler system, which research shows to be the most effective means of saving lives in a fire.

Miss Ward said: "Every year in the UK about 500 people are killed in house fires.

"The numbers have fallen over recent years but even one preventable death is too many.

"More than 18,000 people are injured as a a result of fire. Most are in the home, most are avoidable and most affect those who are society's vulnerable.

"This bill will help to reduce the number of accidents and deaths in the home each year by cutting the cost of smoke alarms and stair gates.

"I hope too that the requirement to install domestic fire sprinklers will dramatically cut the number of deaths in household fires.

"As this is Child Safety Week, I believe it is even more important that we focus on reducing the 45,000 Accident and Emergency admissions that take place each year of young children who fall down stairs."

The private members bill is supported by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

June 20, 2002 16:30